THE days of being woken up by a bin lorry could be over, when a new truck manufactured in Rhondda Cynon Taff takes to the streets.

Manufacturers of the next-generation bin lorry at the Geesink Norba factory went along to Cardiff Bay to launch the vehicle.

Its bin-lifting and waste-crushing equipment is charged by being plugged into the mains.

Because it is powered by electricity, it creates far less noise than a normal lorry.

Geoff Rigg, Geesink Norba’s UK business director, said: “The vehicle itself is tried and tested – it’s been in operational use in Sweden for six years, where it has proven a major success.

“It is available across all our main product ranges and works with the full range of chassis from different manufacturers.

“There is nothing like it on the market so it’s attracting a huge amount of interest.”

Some models will also soon be seen on the streets of London.

Drivers can switch off the main engine at each stop and cut both noise and carbon emissions.

Welsh environment minister Jane Davidson has praised it as an example of how environmentally-friendly technology can also boost jobs and prosperity in Wales.

“Climate change is the greatest challenge facing Wales and the world,” she said.

“A key part of how we face up to this challenge will be the use of new technology, which will bring new economic opportunities for companies in Wales.

“Geesink Norba is a great example of how we can make the most of these potential green jobs, with 140 people employed on-site at Llantrisant making a world-class product.

“This low-emission truck, built here in Wales, shows how electric vehicles will play an important part in a low-carbon future.

“Coal from Wales powered the industrial revolution of the 19th Century that made the modern world.

“The Welsh Assembly Government wants Wales to lead the way again with the new green technology revolution.”

Earlier in the day, a cross-party group of AMs called on the Assembly to come up with a strategic framework for all energy production in Wales.

Just 4% of Wales’s electricity is produced from renewable sources – most of which is from wind power.

The Sustainability Committee claims the Assembly Government will not hit its 2010 targets for renewable power.

Liberal Democrat AM Mick Bates, chairman of the committee, said: “Much of our evidence, while acknowledging the work already being done by the Welsh Government on renewable energy, expressed deep disappointment that the Welsh Government has not done more to realise the full potential of renewable energy in Wales.”